Amazing location a short walk from a wonderful historic bay with fantastic snorkeling. Swam with a manta ray one morning. Kay was so kind, provided us with more fruit than we could handle, and plenty of other food and goodies. The neighborhood itself is also great to walk around, with plenty of beautiful flowers and birds. Very short drive to Two Step and The City of Refuge, both of which are must sees. I would recommend this spot to anyone I know.

We thoroughly loved staying here! The location is amazing- close to the water, and lots of things to do. The kitchen is well equiped and the space is comfortable with two full bedrooms. Kay is a gracious host - she shared fruits from the property and let us pick some too. She runs a fruit and baked goods stand next door. We would definitely stay here again!

Kay was very kind and the property was clean but air condition is must in hawaii and in the condo was have only portable air condition in 1 room

We very much enjoyed our stay at Kay's comfortable and spacious apartment. We love Kealakekua Bay and all that it offers and Kay's apartment was well suited to our experience. Kay was very responsive to any of our needs and her Hawaiian hospitality was very much appreciated. Maholo Kay!

One of our favorite places on the big island is the Manini Beach Park at Kealakekua Bay. This is the first time we rented a property in this area. This house was within easy walking distance of Manini Beach. Kay was an accommodating host and allowed us to make a quick stop, before check in time, to drop off food we were bring with us from another rental. Kay shared some of the fruit with us from the many fruit trees on the grounds. The house itself was an older home and a bit dated. The most unfortunate thing about the house was the windows did not face the prevailing wind and it would get hot during the afternoon. We didn’t spend much time at the house so it wasn’t too much of a problem for us. Fortunately, there was an air conditioner in the master bedroom which made that room comfortable for sleeping.

Very homey and well-equipped house, just a couple of blocks to a nearby park and tiny beach.

Easy process

The appartement is in a quietscht area and is big enough for 4 person. It has a kitchen with everything you need. Enough towels in the bathroom and a washingmachine in the backyard. It was perfect for us.

The owner was nice and friendly, as well as the neighbors. The location can't be beat for the activities we pursued. Manini Beach nearby is a great grassy and shady park - a nice place to hang out. The property has a lot of deferred maintenance issues including fans that do not work, burned out lights, lights too dim to be useful, lamps that don't work, and a slow tub drain. The fridge had a lot of someone else's leftovers. Some items were to be treats left by the owner but opened items are not reasonable to be left. I understand bugs are normal for Hawaii but roaches and their droppings in the kitchen and elsewhere and a gecko jumping out of my cereal box were a little too much for me. The one-room air conditioner in the main bedroom was ok but the rest of the house was very hot. That is probably normal - but don't plan on being cool in this property. There are a lot of fans but blowing hot air around makes an air fryer, not a cooling system. I didn't dare touch or move much in fear of bugs, droppings, or breaking something. Summary - stay in the neighborhood but at a different property.

Had a good time staying at Kay's lovely place. It's very conveniently located near two-step, which made our snorkeling trips so easy. It's also just a few mins of walk to our Kayak launching site to captain cook. There's a lot of room on the second floor. And the kitchen is well stocked. The communication is smooth. We enjoyed our stay very much.

Perfect for what we needed. Quiet clean and close to the water

Just some coachroaches...

We enjoyed our stay. Lots of room.

Short walk to the bay. We had a very nice stay. House is very well situated. Very nice owner.

The day before we were due to arrive, I received a call from Kay indicating that her previous tenant had made a mistake and needed to stay an extra night. She suggested that my sister and I sleep in the same queen-sized bed in a different unit on her property. When I indicated I'm immunocompromised and that's why we booked a 2-bdrm unit, she said she'd call her friend to see if one of us could stay 'up the road' while the other stay in the queen bedroom. She didn't call back until after I'd called and emailed (six hours later) to tell me not to worry & it was all 'fine'. I really wish I would have gone with my gut instinct on this. I honestly don't know how there have been so many 4+ star reviews. We told her to expect us at 4pm. When we arrived at 4:15pm, she was still cleaning and told us to just go walk down to the beach, without giving us directions. The place was wiped down well enough but the caulking in the bathroom was dirty, the sofas didn't have real cushions, most of the towels were scratchy, and the only supplies in the fridge were whatever previous tenants left there (no milk or coffee). There's no garbage disposal; just a bucket with a lid upon which is written that you're to dispose of it across the street. One night we were visited by a flying cockroach and something even larger that I've never seen in my life. We shooed one out the door and my sister killed the other with her shoe. These were the largest but not the only insect visitors we had, including several moths and run-of-the-mill roaches along with some very tiny ant-like creatures that were on the kitchen table. The room I was staying in was extremely dusty the first night but after running all of the fans, it eventually aired out. The larger of the two bedrooms has a swamp cooler but that's the only AC in the unit. The reports of Kay bringing over baked goods or providing coffee was not our experience. She did hand us a bunch of bananas one day as we were driving in, though, and was very curious about our plans. The main benefit of this place is that it is within walking distance to Manini Kapahukapu Beach Park which is the location of some of the most stunning sunsets I've ever seen, as well as Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park, and just a short drive to Two-Step & the City of Refuge. If that's worth the rest, then by all means book this inexpensive VRBO.

This is not only the most affordable place in the neighborhood, but it is THE neighborhood that people travel to from across the island, and come from all over the world, to experience. It was so lovely to call it home away from home for a while. It is perfectly situated to enjoy this special area. Off street paved and flat parking. Excellent outdoor shower to rinse off after a swim and/or snorkel. Kay is a gracious host and is just next door if you need anything. I miss it already!

Budget travelers will appreciate this well-equipped place in beautiful Napoop’o on Kealakekua Bay. Two of us did multi-hour dives from the beach, which a mere five-minute walk away. On top of that, Kay is a such a gracious host.

Kay’s place has everything you need and the location is within walking distance of some of the very best snorkeling in the world. Kay is next door if you need anything and runs the fruit stand out front. You’ll eat a lot of fruit! We plan to come back, our stay was wonderful.

Not fancy but very functional. 3 minute walk to great snorkeling and local park. It is hot inside during the day but lots of fans and windows make it bearable. Great location for quiet people that want to explore more and sit around less.

It had everything we needed and loved being able to walk a block or so away to the beach to watch the sunset every evening! Kay is a generous and wonderful host who is available but gives you your privacy. Loved the fruit stand nearby and her delicious mango cheesecake, banana bread, macadamia nuts and other treats! The best tangerines too! I agree with one of the other reviews about the nice shower head that’s like a massage. Thank you Kay!!

Kay, her downstairs tenants, friends, and neighbors were welcoming and gracious. We felt safe and relaxed at her cozy rental apartment. Walking down to the kayak rental was a breeze. Not fancy, just fabulous! Thank you.

Very pleased with our stay. Place was just as described. We went staright there from our flight and it was getting late. Not much open late. Island time. Kay brought us a box of goodies to make it through. Very nice. She was around when we needed her, but wasnt intrusive in the slightest. Will definitely stay again. Thank you.

Great property on the Kona side of the Big Island in Cpt Cook, Honaunua Bay. Away from noisy tourist area and feels secluded, which made it great for relaxing. Location is near Pu'uhonua O Hōnaunau and several other amazing beach fronts. The best one was Ke'Ei Beach, with calms waves and black/white sand, which is walking distance. Host was generous and welcoming. Enjoyed the delicious island coffee, nuts, fruit, and the beautiful lei flowers from her store. Gave us a great experience and made our first family and first Big Island trip one to remember!

It is very conveniently located near Two Step and the Place of Refuge. It was hot inside, but there is an air conditioner in the bedroom. We enjoyed our stay there and had no trouble with the property.

Kay is a wonderful host and we really enjoyed the local vibe. Easy walking access to the beach and kayaking. A short drive to excellent snorkeling and the city of refuge. This is a great home base for a laid back family vacation. Don't expect resort amenities and do expect to handle your own compost.

If you like bugs in the house, dogs barking at night, horrible smell from downstairs tenant. Then this your place. The host is so sweet and works hard to take care of the outside. The price you pay is what you get. Found huge bug in fridge after two days of using it. Think it was cockroach. Ants everywhere. Only one room has a/c it makes it wierd because the bedroom sweats all night. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. It's close to the water, but the shore is just lava rock boulders and no where to relax. Also it's so busy with people parking all over next to the property to rent kayaks. Definitely better choices out there. Wish I knew before I booked.

We really enjoyed our stay. Place was great... cute and roomy upstairs apartment, easy parking, easy access to kayaking and snorkeling, and sooo dark and quite at night. Kay was a great and friendly host... offering us fresh fruit, homemade key-lime pie, and had a cute fruit stand out in front of the place with a few of her specialty items.Place is a bit eclectic, which we like! Wanna stay at a busy touristy resort... then stay in Kailua-Kona.Thanks Kay!

Love staying here...Kay is wonderful...the hale is clean and in a perfect location...

We really enjoyed our stay. Place was great... cute and roomy upstairs apartment, easy parking, easy access to kayaking and snorkeling, and sooo dark and quite at night. Kay was a great and friendly host... offering us fresh fruit, homemade key-lime pie, and had a cute fruit stand out in front of the place with a few of her specialty items. Place is a bit eclectic, which we like! Wanna stay at a busy touristy resort... then stay in Kailua-Kona. Thanks Kay!

Kay is the sweetest and the location is amazing. I'll definitely be back. Mahalo Kay!!

Kona Kay has a real gem here. This is authentic Hawaii. We spent a week at Kay's place, then went straight to a high end resort in Waikoloa for our second week. We're missing Kay's place every minute. It's not fancy, but it is in such a great location. Within a 5 minute walk, you have kayak rentals. You are a 30 minute paddle from Captain Cook Monument, and we ended up amongst a pod of Spinner Dolphins while we were out there. Also within a 5 minute walk is Manini Beach. A totally chill grassy park setting with a decent entry into the bay for snorkeling. And the snorkeling right off the beach is REALLY GOOD!! The house is 4 miles from 2 Step Beach.. And there are several awesome local food stops within a 10 minute drive. Then there's Kay. She's a friendly, generous host who immediately made us feel welcome. And it just so happens she has her own fruit stand and makes her own Mac nut brittle and fresh breads (which she shares with her guests). We loved staying here and plan to return. Mahalo Kay!!

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our time here, finding it to be a peaceful location where we could relax and just stay local. It was a short walk to Manini Beach Park, which features a small ocean entry that leads to awesome snorkeling. Place of Refuge was 4 miles away down a very quiet remote road. "Kona Kay" is a very giving, friendly, gracious host. She was very accessible as she works constantly outside at her house next door. She makes and sells at a small roadside stand some of the tastiest treats on the island! Her macnut brittle and banana bread are renowned. The couple that live downstairs below the 2nd floor VRBO apartment were very personable, too (the ground floor washer and dryer is shared with them, and easily accessed via the backdoor staircase). The apartment is clean and "homey"--- not fancy, but fully functional. We loved the main entrance at the top of the stairs: an outer door that opens to a screened porch area that leads to the main door to the apartment. It was a great place to remove ones shoes and set down any gear in order to keep the interior clean and dry. Upon entry the living room and kitchen are in one large room, while the bedrooms are on opposite sides of a short hallway. The main bathroom has tub, shower, toilet, sink and is at the start of the hallway on the side between the kitchen and second bedroom. The second bathroom is a toilet and sink, located at the end of the hallway between the 2 bedrooms. The main bedroom, on the living room side of the apartment, is quite large and has 2 closets. The second bedroom is about 60% of the size, still roomy enough to not feel cramped, with one large closet. We generally had gentle breezes which cooled the apartment at night. There was an air conditioner in the main bedroom and a plethora of fans, but we didn't need them in February. Overall, we felt very comfortable and at home at Kay's. If you're looking for basic accommodations without glitz and granite, Kay's will leave you more than satisfied...and wishing to return.